Locking arrangement for printing apparatus



July 13, 1965 SCHUH ETAL LOCKING ARRANGEMENT FOR PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1965 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 m m w W Eduard $1M nz f rm f July 13, 1965 SCHUH ETAL LOCKING ARRANGEMENT FOR PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR5 Edward ILAh-A July 13, 1965 SCHUH ETAL 3,195,140

LOCKING ARRANGEMENT FOR PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VE N TORS E de Q/zl flu.

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July 13, 1965 SCHUH ETAL 3,195,140

LOCKING ARRANGEMENT FOR PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 3,195,14ti LQCKING ARRANGEMENT FQR PRINTING APPARATUS Eduard Schuh, Villingen, Black Forest, and Franz Strobel, Klengen, Germany, assignors to Kienzle Apparate G.m.b.I-I., Viliingen, Biacl-z Forest, Germany Filed Sept. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 3%,797 Claims priority, appiication Germany Sept. 22, 1962 16 Claims. (Cl. 346--43) The present invention relates to a locking arrangement for a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing apparatus used for printing data related to the amount and price of a liquid dispensed at a gas station together with data marked on the credit card of a customer.

Credit cards are widely used at gas stations to eliminate cash transactions. The customer carries a credit card containing an account number and the name of the customer, as well as a time period during which the card is valid. The text appears in raised embossed letters, and when the credit card is inserted into a suitable printing apparatus which prints the amount and price of the dispensed and sold gasoline, a receipt is printed containing all data necessary for billing.

When conventional printing apparatus is used for this purpose, fraudulent operation of the printing apparatus is possible.

It is one object of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage of conventional printing apparatus and to provide a locking arrangement preventing fraudulent operation of a printing apparatus used at a gas station in connection with a credit card.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus in which the same data cannot be printed twice.

Another object of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus in which each printing operation, when started, must be completed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus which is partly controlled by dispensing apparatus, such as used at a gas station, and which cannot be operated during a dispensing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus which includes a counter mechanism for registering data related to the dispensing of a liquid by a gas station, and which cannot be operated before the counter mechanism has been cleared, indicating that the dispensing operation has been completed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus printing data registered in a counter mechanism and being locked in such a manner that printing is only possible after the number of wheels of the counter mechanism have been adjusted and aligned in positions in which numbers can be printed.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to a locking arrangement for a printing apparatus, particularly for a printing apparatus for printing data related to a fluid dispensing operation, and for printing at the same time data marked on the credit card of a customer.

One embodiment of the invention comprises support means which are constructed to support a copy sheet, and a credit card, and which also support the printing means of counter mechanism which registers the amount of liquid dispensed, and the total charged for the dispensed liquid. Means for printing the date of the transaction are advantageously provided on the support means so that all data necessary for the invoice and for the customers receipt can be simultaneously printed on copy sheets.

A carriage is mounted on the support for movement in a printing direction and in an opposite return direction between first and second end positions. An impression roller is mounted on the carriage and moves with the same over the support to cause printing on the copy sheet. Blocking means are provided in accordance with the present invention for blocking movement of the carriage in the return direction after the carriage has moved out of the first end position. Consequently, the carriage and the impression roller cannot be moved back in the return direction without having completed the entire printing operation by arriving at the second end position.

In accordance with the present invention, the impression roller has an operative position and an inoperative position, and is automatically held in the operative position during movement of the carriage means in the printing direction, and in the inoperative position during movement of the carriage in the return direction. The shifting between operative and inoperative positions of the impression roller, is possible only in the two end positions of the carriage.

A locking means is provided which locks the carriage in the normal first end position, and releases the carriage for movement in the printing direction only when all number printing wheels of the counter mechanism are aligned in a position in which the numbers can be clearly printed. Since the dispensing operation is continuous, the number wheels are ordinarily in an intermediate position at the end of a dispensing operation, so that aligning of the number printing wheels is necessary before the copy sheet is pressed by the impression roller against the printing faces of the number printing wheels.

This alignment of the number printing wheels in printing positions is controlled by an element of the dispensing station which has to be operated at the end of every dispensing operation.

In semi-automatic tank stations, a spring is manually tensioned which upon actuation of a lever, actuates the clearing device of the counter mechanism. When the operator performs this operation, the aligning means are controlled thereby to align the number wheels. Fully automatic gas stations have clearing device's controlled by the manually operated dispensing valve when the same is taken by the operator. This operation is used to actuate the aligning means before the actual printing operation.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, only the number printing wheel of the lowest order of the counter mechanism is aligned as explained above, whereas the number printing wheels of the higher orders are aligned by mechanism controlled by the movement of the carriage over the support.

The blocking means which prevent the reversal of the direction of carriage movement in intermediate positions of the carriage between the two end positions, are interconnected with the aligning means for the lowest order of the counter mechanism in such a manner that the blocking means are locked in the normal first end position of the carriage when the carriage is not locked against movement out of the first end position by the locking means which are associated with the aligning means of the counter mechanism. The novel features which are considered as characterlstic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a View illustrating a receipt and a credit card after a printing operation and in the printing position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective top view of a printing apparatus according to the invention, and being partially shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective bottom view of 'the printing apparatus, and being partially shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a schematic fragmentary side elevation, partially in longitudinal section;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic in cross section;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary schematic cross sectional view taken forwardly of the section of FIG. 5; and FIG. 7 is a fragmentary schematic longitudinal sectional view of the printing apparatus according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly 'to FIG. 1, a receipt 1 has spaces for the trade name of 'the company and for the address of the gas station. Several receipt sheets are superimposed, and are automatically reproduced by interposed carbon layers. The date, the dispensed amount of gasoline, and the total price are printed on the receipt 1, as will he explained hereinafter. A credit card 2 is partly placed under the receipt l and has raised letters and symbols which are printed on the receipt when the receipt and credit card are pressed against each other by impression means, as will be described hereinafter.

The printing apparatus of the invention mainly comprises a support 3, operating mechanism 4 mounted underneath support 3, and a carriage 55 supporting impresrear view, partially V sion means including imression rollers 55.

Support 3 has two longitudinally extending guide rails 6 on which carriage 5 is guided for longitudinal movement between two end positions, one of which is shown in FIG. 2. The top plate support 3 has a supporting surface 7 on which the credit card 2 and the receipt 1 are placed. Surface '7 has cutouts 8 in which sets of number printing wheels are located, so that the numbers on the number printing wheels can be used for making corresponding impressions on the receipt.

One set of number wheels 17 is associated with the date, a second set of number wheels 16, see PEG. 7, is associated with the amount dispensed by the gas station column, and a third set of number wheels 15, see FIG. 3 is provided for printing the total in accordance with the price of the dispensed gasoline.

As is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 7, the number printing wheels 16 and which are related to important data, are covered by carriage 5 in the normal end position thereof, carriage 5 having a corresponding projecting portion 5 for this purpose. Due to this arrangement, manipulations on the number wheels is and 15 while the apparatus is not in use, are not possible.

As best seen in FIG. 7, a hood 5a covers the carriage when the apparatus is not in use, and rests on the top of the support 3. Hood St; has a projection 5b which forms a recess with the wall of the hood into which the top of carriage 5 fits. Therefore, carriage 5 cannot be displaced while the hood 5a is mounted on, and'secured to the support 3, and a suitable lock may be provided for holding the hood in the closed position.

A toothed bar 9 extends along one side of support 3 as best seen in FlGS. 2 and 4. Longer recesses 9a and 9b are provided at the ends of the toothed bar 9. The toothed bar 9 is part of blocking means which include a blocking member 7%} turnably mounted on a dependent wall 57 of carriage 5 and urged by spring 74 to turn in counter-clockwise or clockwise direction between first and second blocking positions respectively cooperating with the blocking bar 9, as will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

At the ends of guide rails 6, cam projections 3 and 3" are provided which cooperate with a shiftable support as of the impression roller means 55, as will be explained hereinafter.

Support 3 has two downwardly extending walls 11 and 12 in which shafts i3, 14 and 24 are mounted for turning movement. Number wheels 16 and 17 are mounted on shaft 14 for turning movement, and number wheels 15 are mounted on shaft 13. Number wheels 16 which indicate the dispensed amount of liquid, are controlled by the counter mechanism of a meter. While the number wheels of the lowest unit order are connected by releasable coupling means id and 19 with shafts 13 and 1d, the number wheels of the higher orders are freely turnable on shafts 13 and 14-.

When the apparatus is attached to the column of a tank station, shafts 13 and 14 are respectively connected to the drive means which are related to the price and to the amount or volume of the dispensed liquid so that during the dispensing operation, corresponding values are indicated by the number printing wheels 15 and 16. r The number printing wheels 15 and 16 must be cleared after each dispensing operation, and a heart cam clear-- ing device is provided for this purpose. Tens transfers are carried out by tens transfer means 2% which are mounted in a bracket 21 supported by a shaft 235 on walls ill. and 12. Shaft 23 also supports the resetting levers 22 which cooperate with the heart cams of the counter mechanism in a conventional manner to effect the clearing of the number printing wheels. Each number printing wheel has a heart-shaped cam secured thereto, and when the resetting lever 22 is moved against the heartshaped cam, it engages one or the other side of the cam track and forces the cam, and therewith the corresponding number wheel to turn until the resetting lever has arrived at the plane of symmetry of the heart-shaped cam which corresponds to thezero position of the associated number wheel.

Shaft 24 is turnable in hearings on walls 11 and 12, and is operatively connected with the clearing means of the meter and price indicator of the dispensing column of the gas station so as to turn when clearing is required.

haft 2 5 carries a control cam 25 acting on a lever 27 mounted on a shaft 26, lever 27 being connected through linksZS and 29 with the resetting and clearing levers 22, and with the movable support 21 of the tens transfer means 2%.

During a clearing operation, levers 22 and support 21 are turned in a known manner so that the printing number wheels is and 16 are cleared. This arrangement is not an object of the present invention.

The number printing wheels of the unit order of the sets 15 and 16 are fixedly connected with aligning wheels 35? and 31, respectively, each of which has ten recesses and teeth. The aligning wheels 30' and 31 cooperate with an aligning slide 32 as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. Aligning slide 32 has two transverse slots 35 and 36 in which guide members are mounted so that the aligning slide 32 is shiftable between the position illustrated in FIG. 5 in which a locking member 43 thereof is spaced from the Wall 57 of the carriage, and a locking position in which locking member 43 projects into an opening 57' so as to lock the carriage against movement out of the first end position illustrated in FIG. 2. The aligning slide 323 has two projections 33 and 34, as best seen in FIG. 5 which cooperate with the aligning wheels Silt and 51 of the unit number printing wheels 15 and 16.

Since the position of the number printing wheels 15' and it depends on the amount of fluid dispensed by the gas station, the number wheels may stop in a position in which the number carrying printing faces thereof are not parallel to the surface of support 3 and to the receipt 1, so that no clear imprint could be formed. When the aligning means are operated, the number wheels are turned to one of ten printing positions in which the number carrying faces of the number printing wheels are aligned in a proper printing position.

Before the aligning slide 32 is shifted to the aligning position, the carriage 5 cannot be moved out of its normal end position to perform a printing operation, since locking member 43 of aligning slide 32 is located in the opening 57' of the carriage, and prevents its movement since aligning slide 32 is mounted on the support 3.

Aligning slide 32 is urged by a spring 32' to assume its locking position, and is shifted to the releasing position illustrated in FIG. 5 by lever 75 on shaft 24, whose operation will be explained hereinafter in greater detail. Aligning slide 32 has another locking member 44 cooperating with a pin '73 on arm 72 of blocking member 70, as best seen in FIG. 2. In the position illustrated in FIG. 2, blocking member '76 can turn in clockwise direction, but is prevented by locking member 44 to turn in counterclockwise direction. In this position, spring 74 does not exert a turning moment on blocking member 7%, but in the position of blocking member 7% shown in solid lines at the right side of FIG. 4, spring 74 urges blocking member to turn in clockwise direction which is prevented if locking member 44 is in the position shown in FIG. 4 in which pin 73 abuts the top face thereof.

The projections 33 and 34 of the aligning slide 32 may abut the tips of the teeth of the aligning wheels 3t) and 31 in certain positions of number printing wheels 15 and 16. In this event, the number wheels could not be properlyaligned. Slide 32 carries a pawl 37 for turning movement on a pin 38, as best seen in FIG. 3. A spring 39 is connected to arm 41 and turns pawl 37 in clockwise direction. The position illustrated in FIG. 3 is not the normal position of pawl 37 since slide 32 is in its normal position spaced from the aligning wheels 30 and 31. In the normal position of pawl 37, arm 4! thereof is substantially at the height of tooth 30 of aligning wheel 30. When slide 32 is shifted to the aligning position shown in FIG. 3, arm 4i) of pawl 37 abuts momentarily the corresponding tooth 30' of aligning wheel 39 and turns the aligning wheel a small angle so that the recess thereof is located opposite the triangular projection 33 of aligning slide 32, permitting an alignment of unit number printing wheel 15. Arms 41 then runs against the fixed pin 42 so that pawl 37 is turned to a position releasing aligning wheel 30. A corresponding mechanism is provided for aligning wheel 31.

The number wheels of the higher orders are aligned by other aligning means including the aligning bars 45 and 46, as best seen in FIG. 6. Bars 45 and 46 have pointed projections 47, 48 cooperating with corresponding recesses in aligning wheels 53 and 54 which are, respectively, secured to the number printing wheels. Bars 45 and 46 are mounted on shafts 49 and 50 for turning movement, and are urged by springs 51 and 52 to an inoperative normal position.

Aligning bars 45 and 46 have longitudinal faces cooperating with rollers 69 which are mounted for turning movement on brackets 68, as best seen in FIG. 2. Rollers 69 are not effective in the normal end position of carriage 5, but upon displacement of the carriage in the printing direction, rollers 69 engage the corresponding abutment faces of bars 45 and 46 and urge the same to the aligning position shown in FIG. 6 against the action of springs 51 and 52. Consequently, the number wheels of the higher orders of the number printing wheels are aligned in printing positions in which clear imprints can be made.

Carriage 5 has a cavity 5' in which a support 60 is mounted on bearings 59 on a shaft 58 for turning movement. Support 60 turnably mounts the impression rollers 55 of which only one is visible in FIG. 2. A spring 60', see FIG. 4, urges support 60 to turn to a position in which impression rollers 55 are operative to press the receipt sheets 1 against the faces of number wheels 15, 16 and 17 and against the credit card 2 when the carriage is moved along guide rails 6 to its other end position.

In the portion of carriage 5 which is shown closed in FIG. 2, the same mechanism which is shown in the section part of carriage 5 in FIG. 2, is provided. Impression roller 55 shown in FIG. 2 cooperates with the number wheels 16 and 17 which indicate the dispensed amount or quantity, and the date, respectively. The other im pression roller 55 cooperates with the number wheels 15, see FIG. 3, which indicate the total which is to be paid by the customer, and also cooperates with the credit card 2 to cause printing of the data thereon on the receipt.

A shaft 61 supports the impression rollers 55 for free turning movement. A roller 62 is also mounted on shaft st for turning movement. The partitioning wall 63 at the center of support 60, has a projecting pin 64. Another wall 56' of carriage 5 has a pivot pin 65 on which a stop lever 66, biased by a spring 67 in counterclockwise direction, is mounted for turning movement. Guide rollers 58 are mounted in the lateral walls 56 and 57 of the carriage, and run along guide rails 6 of support 5. Balls may replace the guide rollers 58, as shown in FIG. 5. The lateral walls 56 and 57 support brackets 68 on which the rollers 69 are mounted by which the aligning means 45, 46 are controlled.

Blocking member 70 is also mounted on wall 57 of carriage 5 for turning movement between a first blocking position 76a shown in chain lines in FIG. 4, a neutral position 7%, also shown in chain lines in FIG. 4, and a second blocking position 700 shown in solid lines in FIG. 4. Spring 74 urges blocking member 70 from either blocking position to the neutral position 70b.

Operation In order to perform a printing operation, carriage 5 is manually moved in a printing direction from the illustrated normal end position to the left as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4. Impression rollers 55 are urged by springs 60 acting on support 60 to roll on the receipt sheets 1 which are placed on the top face of support 3 above the printing wheels 15, 16 and 17 and credit card 2. The pressure of the impression rollers 55 effects printing on the receipt sheets.

Shortly before carriage 5 arrives in the second end position, rollers 62 on shaft 61 of impression rollers 55, run onto the higher cam faces 3' so that support 60 is raised, and impression rollers 55 are moved to an inoperative position spaced from the receipts sheets.

In this raised position of support 60, stop lever 66 is actuated by spring 67 to snap under pin 64 so that support 60 and impression rollers 55 are locked and held in an inoperative retracted position during movement of carriage 5 in the return direction from the second end position to the first normal end position. Consequently, the printing operation is not repeated during the return of the carriage 5.

When carriage 5 arrives again in its initial end position, stop lever 66 engages with its arm 66 an abutment 66" and releases support 60 so that spring 60' returns support 60 to its lower position in which impression rollers 55 are operative.

Due to the fact that the impression rollers are inoperative during the return movement of the carriage, it is possible to print two receipts during the printing movement and during the return movement of the carriage. Fraudulent use of an additional receipt is thus prevented.

Assuming, however, that the receipt could be substantially printed without moving the carriage to the second end position, the impression roller would remain in its operative position, and an additional receipt could be printed, at least partly, during the return movement of the carriage. Such fraudulent operation is prevented by the blocking means of the present invention which mainly include the blocking member 70, and the toothed bar 9.

Blocking member 70 is initially in the poistion illustrated in FIG. 2, and shown in chain lines 70b at the right end of FIG. 4. This is the neutral position of blocking member 7% into which it is urged by spring 74,

and which it can assume when it is located in one of the recesses 9a and 9b of blocking bar 9. Locking member 44 of aligning slide 32 is located above pin '73 of blocking member '70 so that the same can turn only in clockwise direction.

When the carriage is moved to the left in the printing direction, arm 71 of blocking member 7d engages the first tooth of blocking bar 9, so that blocking member 7d is turned from its neutral position to the first blocking position 70a in which the end face of arm '71 abuts the left side of the respective tooth of blocking bar 9. When blocking member 70 is in this first blocking position, carriage 5 can move in the printing direction to the left, with blocking member 7% turning slightly in clockwise direction whenever its arm 71 passes over a tooth of blocking bar 90. However, it is not possible to move the carriage 5 back to its initial position, since the shape of arm 71 and of the blocking teeth of blocking bar 9, prevents such movement when blocking member 79 is in the blocking position 7%.

When carriage 5 arrives in its second end position, blocking member 70 is located in recess 9]) which permits spring 74 to turn blocking member '76 to its neutral position 70!).

During the following return movement of carriage 5, the first tooth at the left end of blocking bar 9 turns blocking member '7 to the "second blocking position 73c in which the end face of arm 71 abuts the right flank of each tooth of blocking bar 9 during the return movement of the carriage. Consequently, after the return movement of the carriage has been started, the carriage cannot again be moved in printing direction before it has arrived in its initial end position at the right end of support 3.

When the carriage arrives again in its initial position, arm '71 is located in the wider recess 9a so that spring 74 tends to turn blocking member 70 from its second blocking position 760' to its neutral posit-ion 70b. However, such turning movement is only possible if locking member 44 is not in its locking position cooperating with pin 73 which is the case if adjusting slide 32 has been moved to the right as viewed in FIG. 5 so that locking member 43 engages t e recess 57' and locks the carriage against movement in the printing direction.

Conesquently, if the carriage is not locked by locking member 43, blocking member 74 remains in its second blocking position 700, and carriage 5 cannot be moved in printing direction, although it is not locked by locking member 43. In this position, the end face of arm 71 engages the right flank of the first blocking tooth of blocking bar 9 at the right end of blocking bar 9, as shown in FIG. 4.

The above described operation of the blocking means 9, 7t) assure that any movement of the carriage in printing direction, or in return direction must be completed until the carriage again arrived in one of its end position. A reversing of the motion of the carriage in an intermediate position is prevented by the blocking means so that fraudulent repeated printing of parts of several receipts is not possible.

During a dispensing operation, the number printing wheels 16 and 15 rotate to register the volume of dispensed liquid, and the price total. Aligning slide 32 is held by spring 32' in its right locking position in which locking member 43 is located in opening 57' of wall 57 of the carriage, and the carriage is locked.

The aligning wheels 3% and 31 are consequently not engaged by the aligning projections 33 and 34 and the number wheels of the unit orders can freely turn. Since the carriage is in its initial end position, rollers 69 do not abut the other aligning means 45 and 46 of the higher orders of the number wheels, and the' same can freely turn.

Since locking member 43 prevents movement of the carriage in printing direction during the dispensing opera;

t5 tion, no printing of a receipt to part of the dispensed liquid is possible.

After termination of the dispensing operation, when the number wheels 15 and 16 are in positions represent ing the data pertaining to the finished dispensing operation, the printing faces of the number wheels may not be in positions in which printing is possible, but in intermediate positions. Therefore, it is necessary to operate the aligning slide 32 before the carriage movementis startedj When slide 32 is in the aligning position shown in FIG. 5, locking member 43 releases opening 57, and the carriage is free to move in printing direction.

Aligning slide 32 is actuated by lever 75 and shaft 2 3.

Semi-automatic volume and price counter mechanisms for dispensing pumps include a manually operated lever for tensioning the spring motor of the clearing device of the meter. This lever, not shown, is connected to shaft 24 to operate the same when the meter is cleared so that at the same time, aligning slide 32 is shifted to the releasing position in which locking member 23 releases the carriage and permits movement of the same.

In fully automatic dispensing stations, the manually operated dispensing valve 8t? is placed on a support (not shown) when the dispensing operation has been conpleted. The dispensing valve is provided with a bolt 81 on a bracket 32 which cooperates with a lug 83 of a belt crank lever 84 when being put into the housing of the dispensing column, so as to turn shaft 24 in clockwise direction and to tension a spring 88. Lever $4 is pivoted on a pin as fixed to the column and connected over a red as to a lever 87 of shaft 24. Lever S7 is not turnable on shaft 24. Spring 88 urges shaft 24 to turn in clockwise direction when the valve is taken olf the housing of the dispensing column.

It will be understood that aligning slide 32. and locking member '3 may be operated under control of any element of the dispensing apparatus which is used at the end of dispensing operation. Thus, it is assured that the printing operation is not started before the dispensing operation is completed.

As explained above, the shifting of the aligning slide 32 aligns only the number wheels of the lowest order in proper printing positions. When carriage 5 is moved in printing direction, rollers 69 engage the aligning bars 45 and 4s and turn the same to positions in which projections 47 and engage recesses in aligning wheels 53, 5d of the higher order than the printing wheels 15 and lid, as best seen in FIG. 6.

Consequently, all number printing wheels in positions in which clear imprints are produced on the receipt sheets when the impression roller 55 moves over the receipt sheets and is pressed against the same by spring 6t). I

As explained above, the blocking member can pivot in clockwise direction when carriage 5 moves out of its initial end position in printing direction since locking member is located above pin 73. However, when carriage 5 performs its return movement, blocking member 7t is turned by the first tooth at the left end of blocking bar 4 from its neutral position to its blocking position Tilb, and when carriage 5 arrives after the return movement in its initial end position, pin 73 is located on top of locking member 44, so that blocking member '70 remains in its second blocking position until slide 32 is shifted to the right as viewed in FIG. 5 and locking member 43 locks carriage 5 against movement in the printing direction. Upon movement of locking member 44 to the right as viewed in H6. 5, spring 74 turns blocking member '70 from its blocking position 7&0 to its neutral position 7%, as shown in FlG. 4.

Slide 32 with locking members 43 and 44 is shifted to the right as viewed in FIG. 5 by spring 32' when lever 75 under control of shaft 74 releases slide 32 by turning in clockwise direction. This movement takes place when the clearing operation is started, for example, when the spring motor of the clearing device of the meter is released in a well known manner, or when the dispensing valve is lifted by the operator off its support.

Shifting of slide 32 not only locks the carriage, but also releases the unit number printing wheels 15 and 16 for turning movement. The aligning means 45, 46 for the number printing wheels of the higher orders are already released by rollers 69 in the initial end position of the carriage and are retracted from the aligning wheels 53, 54 by springs 51 and 52.

As a result of the above explained combination of aligning means and locking means, and the control of the same by means at the gas station which are operated only at the end of a dispensing operation, any printing operation before the clearing of the counter mechanisms is prevented. If the carriage is returned to its initial end position before locking member 43 locks the carriage, locking member 44 holds blocking member 70 in its second blocking position 70c which also prevents movement of carriage out of its initial end position.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of printing apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a locking arrangement for a printing apparatus used at a gas station to print a receipt for a customer together with data contained on the credit card of the customer, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applyingv current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended Within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a printing apparatus for printing data related to a fluid dispensing operation, in combination, support means; a mechanism mounted on said support means and including number printing wheels having number printing positions; drive means for operating said mechanism to register by said number printing wheels data related to the amount of the fluid dispensed during a dispensing operation; aligning means having an aligning position for moving said number printing wheels to number printing positions; operating means for operating said aligning means to move to said aligning position at the end of a dispensing operation; carriage means mounted on said support for movement over said number printing wheels in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position; impression means mounted on said carriage means for causing a printing operation by said number printing wheels during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; and locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being controlled and operated by said operating means to move to a releasing position to release said carriage means for movement in said printing direction when said aligning means is in said aligning position and has moved said number printing wheels to number printing positions.

2. In a printing apparatus for printing data related to a fluid dispensing operation, in combination, support means; a mechanism mounted on said support means and including number printing wheels having number printing positions; drive means for operating said mechanism to register by said number printing wheels data related to the amount of the fluid dispensed during a dispensing operation; aligning means having an aligning position for moving said number printing wheels to number printing positions; operating means for operating said aligning means to move to said aligning position at the end of a dispensing operation; carriage means mounted on said support for movement over said number printing wheels in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position; impression means mounted on said carriage means for causing a printing operation by said number printing wheels during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being controlled and operated by said operating means to move to a releasing position to release said carriage means for movement in said printing direction when said aligning means is in said aligning position and has moved said number printing wheels to number printing positions; and blocking means for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, after movement of said carriage means in said printing and return directions, respectively, out of said first and second end positions, respectively, in any position intermediate said first and second end positions.

3. In a printing apparatus for printing data related to a fluid dispensing operation, in combination, support means; a mechanism mounted on said support means and including number printing wheels having number printing positions; drive means for operating said mechanism to register by said number printing wheels data related to the amount of the fluid dispensed during a dispensing operation; aligning means having an aligning position for moving said number printing wheels to number printing positions; operating means for operating said aligning means to move to said aligning position at the end of a dispensing operation; carriage means mounted on said support for movement over said number printing wheels in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position; impression means mounted on said carriage means for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position and adapted to cause in said operative position a printing operation by said number printing wheels during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; means for moving said impression means to said operative position in said first end position and to said inoperative position in said second end position of said carriage means, and for holding said impression means in said operative position during movement of said carriage means in said printing direction, and in said inoperative position during movement in said return direction; locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being controlled and operated by said operating means to move to a releasing position to release said carriage means for movement in said printing direction when said aligning means is in said aligning position and has moved said number printing wheels to number printing positions; and blocking means for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, after movement of said carriage means in said printing and return directions, respectively, out of said first and second end positions, respectively, in any position intermediate said first and second end positions.

4. In a printing apparatus for printing data related to a fluid dispensing operation, in combination, support means; a mechanism mounted on said support means and including number printing wheels having number printing positions; drive means for operating said mechanism to register by said number printing wheels data related to the amount 0,1. l l r of the fluid dispensed during a dispensing operation; aligning means having an aligning position for moving said number printing wheels to number printing positions; op! erating means for operating said aligning means to move to said aligning position at the 'end of a dispensing operation; carriage means mounted on said support for movement over said number printing wheels in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position; impression means mounted on said carriage means for causing a printing operation by said number printing wheels during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being controlled and operated by said operating means to move to a releasing position to release said carriage means for movement in said printing direction when said aligning means is in said aligning position and has moved said number printing wheels to number printing positions; and blocking means for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, after movement of said carriage means in said printing and return directions, respectively, out of said first and second end positions, respectively, in any position intermediate said first and second end positions, said blocking means including a blocking member movable between first and second blocking positions for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printingdirections, respectively, and being held by said locking means in said releasing position in said second blocking position while said carriage means is in said first end position whereby undesired movement of said carriage means in said printing direction is prevented. 5. In a printing apparatus, in combination, support means; carriage means mounted on said support means for movement in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position; impression means mounted on said carriage means for causing a printing operation during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being operable to move to a releasing position to release said carriage means for movement in said printing direction; and blocking means for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, after movement of said carriage means out of said first and second end positions, respectively, in any position intermediate said first and second end positions, said blocking means including a blocking member movable between first and second blocking positions for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, and being held by said locking means in said releasing position in said second blocking position while said carriage means is in said first end position whereby undesired movement of said carriage means in said printing direction is prevented.

6. In a printing apparatus, in combination, support means; carriage means mounted on said support means for movement in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position; impression means mounted on said carriage means for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position and adapted to cause in said operative position a printing operation during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; means for moving said impression means to said operative position in said first end position of said carriage means and to said inoperative position in said second end position of said carriage means; locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being operable to move toa re- PCT leasing position to relea e said carriage means for movement in said printing direction; and blocking means for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, after move ment of said carriage means out of said first and second end positions, respectively, in any position intermediate said first and second end positions, said blocking means including a blocking member movable between first and second blocking positions for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, and being held by said locking means in said releasing position in said second blocking position while said carriage means is in said first end position whereby undesired movement of said carriage means in said printing direction is prevented.

7. In a printing apparatus for printing data related to a fiuid dispensing operation, in combination, support means; a mechanism mounted on said support means and including number printing wheels having number printing positions; drive means for operating said mechanism to register by said number printing wheels data related to the amount of the fluid dispensed during a dispensing 7 operation; aligning means having an aligning position of a dispensing operation; carriage means mounted on e for moving said number printing wheels to number printing positions; operating means for operating said aligning means to move to said aligning position at the end of a dispensing operation; carriage means mounted on said support for movement over said number printing wheels in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position, said carriage means including a cover means disposed for covering said number printing wheels in said first end position of said carriage means; impression means mounted on said carriage means for causing a printing operation by said number printing wheels during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; and locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being controlled and operatedby said operating means to move to a releasing position to release said carriage means for movement in said printing direction when said aligning means is in said aligning position and has moved said number printing wheels to number printing positions.

8. In a printing apparatus for printing data related to a fluid dispensing operation, in combination, support means; a mechanism mounted on said support means and including number printing wheels having number printing positions; drive means for operating said mechanism to register by said number printing wheels data related to the amount of the fluid dispensed during a dispensing operation; aligning means having an aligning position for moving said number printing wheels to number printing positions; operating means for operating said aligning means to move to said aligning position at the end said support for movement over said number printing wheels in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position, said carriage means including a cover means disposed for covering said number printing wheels in said first end position of said carriage means; impression means mounted on said carriage means for causing a printing operation by said number printing wheels during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; a hood means for covering said support means and said carriage means in a closed position of said hood means, said hood means including a recessed portion for receiving said carriage means in said first end position of the same in such a manner that said hood means cannot be placed in said closed position when said carriage means is displaced from said first end position, and locks in said closed position said carriage means in said first end position; and locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being controlled and operated by said operating means to move to a releasing position to release said carriage means for movement in said printing direction when said aligning means is in said aligning position and has moved said number printing wheels to number printing positions.

9. In a printing apparatus for printing data related to a fluid dispensing operation, in combination, support means; a mechanism mounted on said support means and including number printing wheels having number printing positions; drive means for operating said mechanism to register by said number printing wheels data related to the amount of the fluid dispensed during a dispensing operation; aligning means having an aligning position for moving said number printing wheels to number printing positions; operating means for operating said aligning means to move to said aligning position at the end of a dispensing operation; carriage means mounted on said support for movement over said number printing wheels in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position, said carriage means including a cover means disposed for covering said number printing wheels in said first end position of said carriage means; impression means mounted on said carriage means for causing a printing operation by said number printing wheels during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; a hood means for covering said support means and said carriage means in a closed position of said hood means, said hood means including a recessed portion for receiving said carriage means in said first end position of the same in such a manner that said hood means cannot be placed in said closed position when said carriage means is displaced from said first end position, and locks in said closed position said carriage means in said first end position; locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being controlled and operated by said operating means to move to a releasing position to release and carriage means for movement in said printing direction when said aligning means is in said aligning position and has moved said number printing wheels to number printing positions; and blocking means for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, after movement of said carriage means in said printing and return directions, respectively, out of said first and second end positions, respectively, in any position intermediate said first and second end positions, said blocking means including a blocking member movable between first and second blocking positions for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, and being held by said locking means in said releasing position in said second blocking position while said carriage means is in said first end position whereby undesired movement of said carriage means in said printing direction is prevented.

10. In a printing apparatus for printing data related to a fluid dispensing operation, in combination, support means; a mechanism mounted on said support means including ordinal number printing wheels having number printing positions; drive means for operating said mechanism to register by said number printing wheels data related to the amount of the fluid dispensed during a dispensing operation; first aligning means having a first aligning position for moving the number printing wheel of the lowest order to a number printing position; operating means for operating said first aligning means to move to said first aligning position at the end of a dispensing operation; second aligning means having a second aligning position for moving the other number printing wheels to number printing positions; carriage means mounted on said support for movement over said number printing wheels in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position; means mounted on said carriage means for movement therewith and being inoperative in said first end position of said carriage means, and being operative in all other positions of said carriage means to move said second aligning means to said second aligning position and to hold the same in said second aligning position so that said number printing wheels are in said number printing positions during movement of said carriage means; impression means mounted on said carriage means for causing a printing operation by said number printing wheels during movement of said carirage means between said end positions; and locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being controlled and operated by said operating means to move to a releasing position to release said carriage means for movement in said printing direction when said aligning means is in said aligning position and has moved said number printing wheels to number printing positions.

11. In a printing apparatus for printing data related to a fluid dispensing operation, in combination, support means; a mechanism mounted on said support means and including number printing wheels having number printing positions; drive means for operating said mechanism to register by said number printing wheels data related to the amount of the fluid dispensed during a dispensing operation; aligning means having an aligning position for moving said number printing wheels to number printing positions; operating means for operating said aligning means to move to said aligning position at the end of a dispensing operation; carriage means mounted on said suport for movement over said number printing wheels in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said seccond end position to said first end position; impression means mounted on said carriage means for causing a printing operation by said number printing wheels during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; and locking means connected to said aligning means for movement therewith and having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being controlled and operated by said operating means to move to a releasing position to release said carriage means for movement in said printing direction when said aligning means is in said aligning position and has moved said number printing wheels to number printing positions.

12. A printing apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said locking means includes a locking member shiftable between a locking position engaging said support means and a releasing position releasing said support means; and wherein said blocking member is mounted for turning movement on said carriage means and is located in said first end position of said carriage means in said second blocking position and on one side of said locking mem her in said releasing position abutting the same, said blocking means including spring means connected to said blocking member and urging the same to turn to a position intermediate said blocking positions whereby said blocking member cannot move to said intermediate position while abutting said locking member in said releasing position and moves to said intermediate position when said locking member moves to said locking position.

13. In a printing apparatus for printing date related to a fluid dispensing operation, in combination, support means; a mechanism mounted on said support means and including ordinal number printing wheels having number printing positions; drive means for operating said mechanism to register by said number printing wheels data relate-d to the amount of the fluid dispensed during a dispensing operation; first aligning means having a first aligning position for moving the number printing wheel of the lowest order to a number printing posit-ion; operating means for operating said first aligning means to move to said first aligning position at the end of a dispensing operation; second aligning means having a second aligning position for moving the other number printing wheels to number printing positions; carriage means mounted on said support for movement over saidnumber printing Wheels in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position; roller means mounted on said carriage means for movement therewith and being inoperative in said first end position of said carriage means, and being operative in all other positions of said carriage means to move said second aligning means to said second aligning position and to hold the same in said second aligning position so that said number printing wheels are in said number printing positions during movement of said carriage means; impression means mounted on said carriage means for causing a printing operation by said number printing wheels during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being controlled and operated by said operating means to move to a releasing position to release said carriage means for movement in said printing direction when said align-ing means is in said aligning position and has moved said number printing wheels to number printing posit-ions; and blocking means for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, after movement of said carriage means in said printing and return directions, respectively, out of said first and second end positions, respectively, in any position intermediate said first and second end positions, said blocking means including a blocking member movable between first and second blocking positions for bl cl'ing movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, and being held by said locking means in said releasing posi tion in said second blocking position while said carriage means is in said first end position whereby undesired movement of said carriage means in said printing direction is prevented.

14. A printing apparatuses set forth in claim 13 wherein said locking means includes a locking member secured to said first aligning means for movement therewith so as to be in said releasing position when said first aligning means is in said first aligning position.

15. A printing apparatus as set forth in claim is Wherein said blocking member is mounted for turning movement on said carriage means and is located in said first end position of said carriage means in said second blocking posit-ion on one side of said locking member in said releasing position abutting the same, said blocking means including spring means connected to said blocking member and urging the same to turn from either blocking position to a neutral intermediate position so that said blocking member cannot move to said intermediate position while abutting said locking member in said releasing position and moves to said intermediate position when said locking member is in said locking position; said support means including a blocking bar having a plurality of teeth cooperating with said blocking member to hold the same in said first blocking position during movement in said printing direction and in said second blocking position during movement in said return direction, said blocking bar having recesses at the ends thereof receiving said blocking member in said first and second end positions of said carriage means so as to permit turning movement of said blocking member from said first and second blocking positions to said intermediate position in said end positions of said carriage means.

16. In a printing apparatus for printing data related to a fluid dispensing operation, in combination, support means; a mechanism mounted on said support means and including ordinal number printing wheels having number printing positions; drive means for operating said mechanism to register by said number printing wheels data related to the amount of the fiuid dispensed during a dispensing operation; first aligning means having a first aligning position for moving the number printing wheel of the lowest order to a number printing position; operating means for operating said first aligning means to move to said first aligning position at the end of a dispensing operation; second aligning means having a second aligning position for moving the other number printing wheels to number printing positions; carriage means mounted on said support for movement over said number printing wheels in a printing direction from a first end position to a second end position and in a return direction from said second end position to said first end position; roller means mounted on said carriage means for movement therewith and being inoperative in said first end position of said carriage means, and being operative in all other positions of said carriage means to move said second aligning means to said second aligning position and to hold the same in said second aligning position so that said number printing wheels are in said number printing positions during movement of said carriage means; impression means mounted on said carriage means for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position and adapts to cause in said operative position a printing operation by said number printing wheels during movement of said carriage means between said end positions; means for moving said impression means to said operative position in said first end position and to said inoperative posi tion in said second end position of said carriage means, and for holding said impression means in said operative position during movement of said. carriage means in said printing direction, and in said inoperative position during movement in said return direction; locking means having a normal locking position for locking said carriage means in said first end position and being controlled and operated by said operating means to move to a releasing position to release said car lage means for movement in said printing direction, said locking means being connected to said first aligning means for movement therewith and being in said releasing position when said first aligning means is in said aligning position and being in said normal locking position when said first aligning means is not in said first aligning position, and including spring means urging said first aligning means out of said first aligning position and said locking means to said locking position so that said carriage means is released for movement in said printing direction when said first aligning means is in said first aligning position and hasmoved said number printing wheels to number printing positions; and blocking means for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, after movement of said carriage means in said printing and return directions, respectively, out of said first and second end positions, respectively, in any position intermediate said first and second end positions, said blocking means including a blocking member movable between first and second blocking positions for blocking movement of said carriage means in said return and printing directions, respectively, and being held by said locking means in said releasing position in said second blocking position While said carriage means is in said first end position whereby undesired movement of said carriage means in said printing direction is prevented.

References Cited by the Examiner UNETED STATES PATENTS 2,161,602 6/39 Von Pein 10155 X 2,612,428 9/52 Vroom 222-30 X 2,699,372 1/55 Mosler 101-269 X EUGENE R. CAPOZKO, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT E. fiULFR-EY, Examiner. 

1. IN A PRINTING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING DATA RELATED TO A FLUID DISPENSING OPERATION, IN COMBINATION, SUPPORT MEANS; A MECHANISM MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND INCLUDING NUMBER PRINTING WHEELS HAVING NUMBER PRINTING POSITIONS; DRIVE MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID MECHANISM TO REGISTER BY SAID NUMBER PRINTING WHEELS DATA RELATED TO THE AMOUNT OF THE FLUID DISPENSED DURING A DISPENSING OPERATION; ALIGNING MEANS HAVING AN ALIGNING POSITION FOR MOVING SAID NUMBER PRINTING WHEELS TO NUMBER PRINTING POSITIONS; OPERATING MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID ALIGNING MEAN TO MOVE TO SAID ALIGNING POSITION AT THE END OF A DISPENSING OPERATION; CARRIAGE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT OVER SAID NUMBER PRINTING WHEELS IN A PRINTING DIRECTION FROM A FIRST END POSITION TO A SECOND END POSITION AND IN RETURN DIRECTION FROM SAID SECOND END POSITION TO SAID FIRST END POSITION; IMPRESSION MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE MEANS FOR CAUSING A PRINTING OPERATION BY SAID NUMBER PRINTING WHEELS DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIAGE MEANS BETWEEN SAID END POSITIONS; AND LOCKING MEANS HAVING A NORMAL LOCKING POSITION FOR LOCKING SAID CARRIAGE MEANS IN SAID FIRST END POSITION AND BEING CONTROLLED AND OPERATED BY SAID OPERATING MEANS TO MOVE TO A RELEASING POSITION TO RELEASE SAID CARRIAGE MEANS FOR MOVEMENT IN SAID PRINTING DIRECTION WHEN SAID ALIGNING MEANS IS IN SAID ALIGNING POSITION AND HAS MOVED SAID NUMBER PRINTING WHEELS TO NUMBER PRINTING POSITIONS. 